Archive for the tag “free stuff”

Teresa and Jeremy, active participants in the Share Tompkins community, just installed a “Little Free Library” in front of their house! It’s an awesome way to share books with your neighbors. Here’s what Teresa has to say…

Little Free Libraries

The Little Free Libraries were started in Wisconsin in late 2010 as a way of promoting literacy and community through the use of small, publically accessible book exchanges. When my husband and I recently went back to Wisconsin for a friend’s wedding, we found ourselves charmed by the variety and number of Little Free Libraries in our old neighborhood, and decided to bring a little of that magic back to Ithaca with us.

Building

We spent some time thinking about how to build a weathertight yet accessible little box, but after looking at the plans available at their website and considering our meager construction skill, we decided to buy one made from recycled materials. However, someone with more time and ability than me could certainly put one together in a weekend or two from any combination of found, recycled, or purchased materials. Most of the ones we’ve seen are about the size of a small laundry basket, with a door to keep out the elements. One of the cleverer designs I’ve seen is actually the next-nearest Library – a repurposed phone kiosk just outside Syracuse University’s Library and Information Science department. Photo here

Location

We live on a busy street with a fair amount of foot, car, and bike
traffic, so we didn’t need to look farther than our own front yard. But other libraries are located in a wide variety of public and private places – outside of businesses, homes, and schools.

Books

We’re book fiends, and always have a stack of books to be passed along to other readers. Our Little Library is new, but I hope that it will become a neighborhood resource for exchanging beloved titles.

If you’d like to browse the Library and trade some books, or if you want a library of your own and want to see it in person, please stop by 1039 Hanshaw Rd. to check it out!

Don’t forget, this Friday, 4-8pm at Congo Square Market at Southside Community Center, we’ll be hosting a Really Really Free Market. Bring stuff to give away, or just bring an empty tote bag and fill it up. I know we’re planning on bringing a lot of stuff ourselves, including housewares and office supplies – come take it so we don’t have to bring it back home!

Come participate in the Ithaca Free Barter Market, a new community based trade event, using Ithaca Hours as a base currency. The event will be a truly free market, allowing free barter between people, as well as using Ithaca Hours as the backbone to facilitate trade. We are asking participants to bring things they want to sell or trade as well as submit a lists of things you have to sell or want to buy so that we can compile them. If you have Ithaca Hours, please bring them to the event, if you don’t we will be providing micro loans as seed money. If you have questions or comments, feel free to email Lucas Bonnet at Whirlingdervishofrevolution@gmail.com

-Drop off books in readable condition or better, and swap them for books that are new to you.

-Sign up for a spot to recite your favorite poem or read an excerpt from a special book during Literary Open Mic time.

To make swapping super easy, we are trying out the process of swapping like for like:
Give a paperback, get a paperback.
Give a children’s book, get a children’s book, etc.

Also available will be FREE copies of the special edition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” printed specifically for the people of Ithaca and Tompkins County through the vision and efforts of the MLK Community Build.

Children’s book donations will be accepted for distribution to the Family Reading Partnership’s Bright Red Book Shelf program, which recirculates gently used children’s books back into the community where they are made available free for families to own.

Usually we ask that unwanted items be taken back, but in this case, all leftover books will be donated to the Family Reading Partnership and Friends of the Library.

Strapped for cash? Like working with your hands? Check off everyone on your list by swapping and making your own gifts this holiday season!

All are welcome to this FREE event. Barter for goodies with your neighbors or make one-of-a-kind gifts at the crafting station run by Ithaca Freeskool. As always, there will be a free area for people who want to give stuff away.

Guidelines:
– Our goal is sustainability – please bring stuff that is locally-grown or made from local materials if possible, but anything is welcome!
– Be prepared to take back home with you whatever you don’t end up bartering or giving away. Left-over items will be donated appropriately.
– Please bring stuff that is in good condition or can be easily-repaired – no junk!

Our first ever Sound Swap was a great success. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful fall day full of sunshine, corn, music and swapping! Thanks to the Ithaca Sound Maze for being such a wonderful host.